Thousands of N.J. residents without power as storms strike

View full sizeJerry McCrea/The Star-LedgerThe sky darkened ominously before a torrential downpour hit today's Roselle Park and Pingry high school football game in Basking Ridge.

Thousands of utility customers in New Jersey are without power as severe thunderstorms move through the region.

Most of the outages were in northern Jersey, which was hardest hit by the storms that contained damaging winds, hail and heavy rain. The storms downed trees and damaged power lines, but no serious injuries were reported.

Forecasters say the storms will continue until late tonight, with 1 to 2 inches of rain expected statewide. Severe thunderstorm warnings were still in effect for many areas early tonight, but a tornado watch issued earlier in the day for 5 northern counties was canceled just before 7 p.m.

Jersey Central Power and Light said roughly 8,000 customers had no electricity early Saturday night, while roughly 9,000 PSE&G customers had no service. It wasn't known when they would have their power restored.